Wilby Wonderful (2004)

71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(1,805 ratings)

The residents of Wilby, Nova Scotia, learn the importance a day can make as scandal weighs heavily on their conscience in the sophomore feature from Canadian playwright-turned-filmmaker Daniel MacIvor. Suicidal Dan Jarvis (James Allodi) is longing to find a reason to live, and as Buddy and Carol… More The residents of Wilby, Nova Scotia, learn the importance a day can make as scandal weighs heavily on their conscience in the sophomore feature from Canadian playwright-turned-filmmaker Daniel MacIvor. Suicidal Dan Jarvis (James Allodi) is longing to find a reason to live, and as Buddy and Carol Franch's (Paul Gross and Sandra Oh) marriage falls to pieces, single mom Sandra Anderson (Rebecca Jenkins) seeks male companionship to relieve the strain of raising a child alone and unlucky painter Duck MacDonald (Callum Keith Rennie) struggles to overcome his own nagging problems. On the horizon, a shocking revelation threatens to change the way the residents of the small town view both themselves and their neighbors, but how will the people of Wilby deal with such a major problem when they can't even work out their own issues? ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Daniel MacIvor
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 11, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Mar 28, 2006

Critic Reviews

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Despite its hipster-coffeehouse soundtrack, foul mouth, randy characters, and violent patches, Wilby is wholesome and ultimately remarkable for its optimism.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Mediocre.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Wilby Wonderful tries to be audience-friendly without pandering.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
A fine ensemble cast and a low-key approach that's both charming and a little dull.
Oz, eFilmCritic.com
About as Canadian as Canadian movies get. And no, that's not a good thing.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
Wilby Wonderful is pleasant enough storytelling with a handful of truly brilliant scenes.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
Writer/director Daniel MacIvor does a wonderful job of establishing this small town...

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

A little too slow and scattered it still has good acting making for a nice piece on life in a small town.
Thomas J

Way too slow,and way too preachy for so little said. The movie was not very focused with several unrelated plots distracting from any real meaning for this well intentioned movie.
Nicki M

Flawed, but has such interesting characters you can almost look past it. Very slow moving, though, and not for anyone who likes a big story. The acting is great in this. I mainly rented it because it had Ellen Page in it, although her role is not that major, it was one of her… More
Flawed, but has such interesting characters you can almost look past it. Very slow moving, though, and not for anyone who likes a big story. The acting is great in this. I mainly rented it because it had Ellen Page in it, although her role is not that major, it was one of her earlier ones from before "Juno" etc. Worth a look if you like smaller movies not shot on a large budget.
Mark A

Another sparkling gem from the ouevre of the brilliant, young Ms Page. She continues to impress this viewer with her acting chops. In this, she plays the daughter of a woman who has returned to her Nova Scotia island roots to open a restaurant. It is about finding love and purpose… More
Another sparkling gem from the ouevre of the brilliant, young Ms Page. She continues to impress this viewer with her acting chops. In this, she plays the daughter of a woman who has returned to her Nova Scotia island roots to open a restaurant. It is about finding love and purpose wherever one has been planted. Sandra Oh plays the small town realtor with big ambitions and whose marriage may be falling apart because of it. The other actors are not well known, but are more than competent to carry the story along. The director was able to capture the insular nature of this small town without resorting to cliche. All of the subplots are tied up nicely at the end, leaving this viewer with a smile on his face.
FanGirl B

One of my favorites of the Film Movement. It's a very quiet movie and improves a lot upon a second viewing.

Cast

            Maury Chaykin as Mayor Brent Fisher

            Paul Gross as Buddy French

            Rebecca Jenkins as Sandra Anderson

            Daniel MacIvor as Stan Lastman

            Sandra Oh as Carol French

            Callum Keith Rennie as Duck MacDonald

            Kathryn MacLellan as Deena

            Ellen Page as Emily Anderson

            James Allodi as Dan Jarvis

            Marcella Grimaux as Mackenzie Fisher

            Terri Sanderson as Reporter

            Chris Saunderson as Photographer

            Caleb Langille as Taylor

            Patrick Keeler as Stuart

            Chett Buchanan as Golfing Businessman #1

            Mike Goodfellow as Golfing Businessmam #2

            Mary Ellen MacLean as Irene

            Ed Cayer as Lotto Man

            Devon Chisholm as Jennie

            Judith Hasen as Lotto Woman

            Rita Howell as Mrs. Corkum

            Lauren Ehrenworth as Bartender

            Susannah Hoffmann as Elaine Fisher

            Deborah Bowels as Neighbour

            Lorraine Chapman as Neighbour

            Allan Hawco as Radio Announcer

            Shannon Perreault as Radio Announcer
See full cast